ANGLING: SUNDAY'S snow was enough to put most anglers off, including myself. I was up early for a match but one look outside was enough to tell me to stay home. Not surprisingly, the match was called off.

But to my surprise, one angler, Southport's Gaz Clegg, did set off through the snow and after a long and difficult drive he arrived at Hurlston Hall.

The lake was empty, the banks full of snow and drifts were up to 2ft deep. Even the bailiff said he should be paying Gaz to fish in those conditions!

Gaz set his tackle into the snow and cast out a single hair-rigged sweetcorn on a size 10 wide-gaped Korda hook. To his surprise his bait was taken by a fine 11lb mirror carp.

Another carp soon followed and by 1pm Gaz had caught four carp - but his hands were so cold he decided it was best to pack up and go home.

"A great day's fishing," he said.

With the end of the season for the River Crossens, pike anglers are turning to the canals. The Leeds-Liverpool and Rufford canals are excellent pike waters with fish to 20lb in the Leeds-Liverpool.

The most popular venues are Saracens Head, Red Lion and Heatons Bridge. Roach and smelt are the most productive baits.

Another good water is Anglezarke in Chorley (day tickets #3). This water also holds large shoals of bream. Red maggots with swim-feeder is the best bait.

Match Angling>

DUE to public demand to fish the #1000 winner takes all matches at Sephton Farm (which is a sellout) a series of follow matches have been arranged.

The qualifier dates are (all Sundays): July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30 and August 13. The final is on August 20. The top two from each qualifier will go through to the final for the #1000 winner takes all. Separate pools will be held on the day.

Don't forget, you are only fishing in a 10-angler match and the pegs will be the same for each match. They are: 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 13, 19, 20, 21 and 23.

Names are already being taken so phone Ron on 01704 541014 to book on.

THERE has been some excellent fishing at Mescar in Lydiate on bronze maggot and single sweetcorn.

And in the same area, Rosemary Wood and Silver fisheries are in good form on quiver tip with open end feeder. Roach are feeding well at Ince Blundell Fisheries and, again, top baits are maggot and sweetcorn. Bread punch with liquidised bread is also excellent. Don't use maggots is fishing punch - either one or the other.

Sea Angling>

COD are still being caught at Hall Road, Crosby. Sean Porter caught a 3lb codling on lug.

Mersey spots are also showing codling and flatties but not many whiting showing of any size. Jaguar House, Mariners Wharf and Perch Rock are fishing quite well on lugworm.